My Genealogy Hound

John A. Hudgens, one of the best known citizens of Jefferson County, and a substantial planter, was born in Pine Bluff, in 1843. He is a son of Ambrose and Eliza (Irwin) Hudgens, of Texas and Tennessee, respectively. The father was born in Texas, in the year 1814, and moved with his parents to Arkansas in 1826, locating in Jefferson County, where he resided until 1869, when he moved to Lincoln County. He was a farmer and blacksmith, bringing both occupations up to the finest points of perfection. The elder Hudgens had a remarkable memory, and could speak fluently five different Indian languages. His education was of the best, and obtained through his own exertions at home. He was known far and wide as a hunter of great prowess, but in later years, when the country became more thickly populated and game was thinned out, the chase lost its excitement, and his trusty rifle was hung upon the wall for good. He was highly respected by the citizens of Jefferson County during his residence there, and was elected by them to represent the county for one term in the legislature. He was also commissioner of improvements, justice of the peace, and held various other public offices, with the dignity and wisdom that elicited the profoundest respect. As a business man he made a success. Although a heavy loser by the late war, his tact and ability placed him on an independent basis, he having regained as much after that event as he had before. Mr. Hudgens was a spiritualist, and in politics a Democrat. During the rebellion his sympathies were with the South from beginning to end. The family on both sides are of English descent, the mother being a daughter of Major David Irwin, a famous soldier in the Revolutionary War. After the death of his first wife the elder Hudgens was married to Miss Jane Derresseaux, of Arkansas, this lady dying in June, 1868, and in 1869 he was married to Mrs. (Adkins) Brewster, of Tennessee. Three children were born to him by his first marriage, of whom John A., the principal of this sketch, is the only one now living, the two deceased being Mary and David W.; the latter was a lieutenant in the Confederate army, and lost his life at Vicksburg while gallantly defending his battery. Mr. Hudgens had no children by his second marriage, but two were born to the last, William and Jacob. Ambrose Hudgens died June 13, 1889, in his seventy-sixth year. John A. received his education in his native county, and passed his life in a quiet, uneventful manner, until the year 1861, when he enlisted in the Confederate army, becoming a member of Capt. McNally’s company, in the Fifteenth Arkansas Infantry, and taking part in the battles of Shiloh and several others of lesser note. After two years’ service he was transferred to the ordnance department, and had charge of the manufacture of ammunition at Arkadelphia, Ark., and Marshall, Tex., a position in which he distinguished himself. In May, 1865, he returned to Jefferson County, which place he has made his home ever since. After leaving the army he was left almost penniless, but his determined spirit and firmness of purpose led him on like the hero of Excelsior, and now he can look proudly down from his present prosperity and feel satisfied in the reflection that it was his own industry, toil and perseverance that have brought him where he is. Mr. Hudgens owns about 600 acres of the best land in Central Arkansas, and has placed about 300 acres under cultivation. In 1882 he commenced in business, which he actively continued until the latter part of 1886. On September 6, 1866, he was married to Miss Frankie Franklin, of Bradley County, Ark., by whom he has had six children: Luma (wife of John A. Pierce, a prominent farmer of this county), John A. (at home), Otelia (who died in her sixteenth year), Calla (at home), Willie, and Fannie. Mrs. Hudgens is a devout, Christian woman, and an indefatigable worker for the church. Her husband is allied with the Democracy, and is a valuable man to that party in his section. He is very popular in both social and business circles, and is held in high esteem.